The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, is considering adding cooking classes to its offerings, according to a post on the tournament’s official social media account on March 12, 2026. The post, which garnered over 300 likes, asked followers, “Should we set up some cooking classes? 👩🍳”
The annual tournament, held each March at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, draws significant crowds to the Coachella Valley. The Garden, built in 2000, boasts 29 courts, including a 16,100-seat main stadium – the second largest tennis-specific stadium globally, according to Wikipedia. The BNP Paribas Open is a WTA 1000 event for women and an ATP Masters 1000 tournament for men, consistently attracting top players from both tours.
This year’s event, scheduled for March 4-15, 2026, will feature singles and doubles competitions. The ATP Tour website currently indicates there are no top seeds announced for the 2026 tournament. Prize money for the 2026 event is projected at $9,415,725 for the men’s tournament and $8,963,700 for the women’s, based on 2025 figures. The tournament’s website, bnpparibasopen.com, does not currently list details regarding potential cooking classes or other non-tennis related activities.
The Indian Wells Tennis Garden has develop into a focal point for the tennis world, often referred to as the “fifth Grand Slam” due to its high attendance – 493,440 in 2024 – and world-class facilities. The potential addition of cooking classes represents a possible expansion of the tournament’s appeal beyond strictly tennis-focused entertainment.
